The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (www.phoenixchamber.com) offers a regular feature in its monthly newsletter called MarCom Corner and a recent posting written by the Chamber’s Lori K. Baker addressed tips on getting media coverage free.

Baker interviewed nationally known consultant, and former airline pilot, Ron Nielsen, who has been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CBS This Morning, the Washington Post, USA Today and the Arizona Republic. His business is called FearlessFlight (www.fearlessflight.com). He came up with three tips on how to get the media to notice you and your business.

· When Nielsen realized some people are really afraid of flying, he came up with a business idea. He began offering free classes on overcoming the fear of flying and held them at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. USA Today picked up on the idea and that snowballed into more media coverage.

· Nielson’s website features a free flight guide covering the sights, sounds and other sensations of routine flights. Baker notes Nielsen, in his interview, talked about setting yourself up as an expert with the media. “The media wants experts so if you’re a painter you could offer a free e-book on how to pick a painter or if you have a flooring company you could write an e-book with five tips on what you need to know before replacing hardwood floors,” states Nielsen. He also touts creating podcasts as a way to set yourself up as an expert because with the average person spending 27 minutes each day podcasts become great vehicles for sharing information.

· Work on your interview skills so you can shine when the media is after quotes, Nielsen states. He warns do not promote your product, but rather offer to help people solve problems. This, he says, will help make selling a lot easier.

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Ted Vollmuth is a seasoned journalist and public relations specialist with experience as a radio news reporter and a public relations professional in both the public and private sector. He has experience in many different forms of public relations including writing and production of brochures, newsletters, magazine articles, copywriting, speech writing, videos, public relations strategy and more. Ted has a specific interest in working with small businesses, helping them achieve success through proven marketing and p.r. methods. Contact Ted at this address.